Wondering if Depression Medication is for You?

With the use of depression medication on the rise the research statistics give us some insights.

In a recent study of 2,921 single and married mothers it was discovered that single mothers have a 40% higher incidence of major depression, with a depressive episode lasting an average of 12 months.

There are two primary areas of single mom depression. These are:

1. Increased number of life stresses
2. Decreased amount of social support

Single mothers, like work from home mothers, are often exhausted. But they can also be additionally stressed by their feelings of being jaded, indignant, prideful and stubborn. They can also be stressed by continually fighting depression. Life has not turned out the way they dreamed it would. Perhaps there were marital dreams, dreams of the perfect home, dreams of providing the best for their children, dreams of spending more time with their children and dreams of being the perfect family and more. All lost.

In place of those dreams they may have bitter feelings over the marital loss, less than optimal living situations, no "play" time with their children, visitation issues, child support issues, financial stress and the list could go on.

If you are a stressed-out single mom, or an over stressed work from home mom, take a minute to learn about the signs of depression as they compare to the signs of stress, since the two are often confused.

As well, consider some of this practical stress-depression busting techniques below when pondering the decision to-go or not-to-go on depression medication.

ADVICE FROM DAVE TURO-SHIELDS OF THE PARENTING CHANNEL ON STORKNET:

Here are some ways to cope with stress and getting a handle on those down days without automatically resorting prematurely to depression medication. Plus they're all about making your life easier.

They are listed in no particular order of importance. However there is one exception -- if you know already that you are severely depressed to the point of non-function or near suicide. If that's the case then Major Depression (diagnosed by a professional) demands prompt attention first and foremost. Consider depression medication as an important means of taking care of yourself! People need you, and you need yourself too.

1. Immediately seek help medically and professionally for depression. Ask lots of questions about depression medications, side effects, short term and long term alternatives etc.

2. Forgive yourself and others. Check out your neighborhood church groups for emotional and practical support.

3. Compromise with that critical "Inner Judge" that only seems to want to persecute you unfairly.

4. Put down your pride and take ALL the help you can get -- if people offer, accept; if you need help, ask!

5. Learn how to deal with stress quickly such as deep breathing, using positive mental affirmation, taking a mental imagery vacation, learning how to mini-meditate, take a 10 minute hot shower with calming aromatherapy soap.

6. Get organized and/or ask for help in doing so. It's especially important to do so around daily routines such as morning rituals, after-school rituals, chores, mealtimes, baths, bedtimes and family fun time.

7. Keep the clutter-bug out of your life. Commit to only looking at mail once. Recycle household items continually -- if you're out of space, it's time to recycle. Get your kids involved.

8. Create a single parent co-op, where you can switch on and off with transporting kids, doing house or apartment projects, babysitting for each other.

9. Are you doing for your children what they can do for themselves? Feed their sense of mastery and independence. They often will feel great knowing they have helped their family out in some way.

10. Keep a sense of humor. Many a single mother has said "If I didn't laugh I don't know what I'd do."

11. Get your children involved in camps, church, Sunday Bible School, Big Brother/Big Sister Programs, mentoring programs. Let others offer what you don't have the time or energy to offer.

12. Seek financial advice. Having direction and a plan sure beats constant worrying!

13. Keep a family calendar. It's nice to allow your kids to be in activities, but don't overdo it -- one per season is a good rule.

14. Make a list of stressors. Decide what you have direct control over and focus there, first -- in ways that you can. With the other items, learn to let go.

15. Take itty-bitty timeouts just for you! I once knew of a mom that bought a wild-looking red bath robe. The rule was when mom came out of her room with that robe on, no one was allowed to ask for anything unless the house was on fire.

16. Playing off the co-op idea above, create a single mothers support group. Single mothers are one of THE most creative and resourceful groups on the planet! Why not take full advantage of that! Rotate child care from meeting to meeting, receive support directly from others who've been there and pool your resources.

There's no doubt about it, you've been "singled out" for a very special and important job here on earth.

The ideas above do work and are working in mothers' lives right now. Many have found that these kinds of practical ideas are an unexpectedly good alternative to the depression medication route. Pick just one area and begin there.

When it's ALL overwhelming, simply start where you're at.

Have More Suggestions for our Depression Medication Alternatives List?